Golf ball grabber

Abstract

A telescoping retractable assistive device for grabbing or picking-up golf balls is disclosed. The device comprises an elongate shaft having multiple sections. The length of the elongate shaft may be adjusted for compact storage or to extend the reach of the user. The elongated shaft is attached to a cup with a diameter sized to allow engagement with the top outside surface of a golf ball. The cup may be made of a resilient material which expands or contracts slightly upon engagement with the golf ball. In the preferred embodiment, the cup is translucent or clear to further improve direction and engagement with the ball. With this device, a golf ball lying on the golf course can be picked-up by the user standing on the golf course or sitting in a golf cart.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] (Not Applicable) STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] No federal funds were used to develop or create the invention disclosed and described in the patent application. REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX [0003] (Not Applicable) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] This invention relates to assistive devices and more particularly to a portable device useful for increasing the reach and comfort of a golfer. Generally, these devices share several characteristics such as extending the user's reach and grabbing or picking-up a golf ball. Additionally, the devices are used either while standing on the course or sitting in a golf cart. Several patents, as discussed below, are worth review with regard to this invention. [0005] 1. U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,515 ('515) issued to Hall teaches a handle and a cup with a closed end and an open end. The cup element as clai...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] The invention as described and disclosed herein has numerous advantages over the prior art herein. The invention is compact enough, when retracted, to fit into the typical golf bag side pocket. The invention is easy to use while seated in a golf cart because the invention's compactness reduces the clumsiness inherent with the prior art. Furthermore, the close proximity to the ball allows better control. A straight handle ensures the golfer can position and deliver the grabber directly over the ball. As designed the grabber is easier to use than the prior art because no scooping or rolling of the golf ball is necessary to engage the golf ball with the invention. The shape or curve of cup and the ball ensure a natural interaction, further aiding the user.

[0012] The embodiment with a clear or translucent cup for grabbing the ball further increases the eye hand coordination thus allowing better finite control in grabbing the golf ball. Another feature found in the disclosed design is the lip around the top edge of the cup portion of the invention. The combination of the size of the cup and the lip negates the need for complete engulfment of the golf ball to secure a proper mating of the golf ball and the cup. This ensures the user has plenty of ball surface for contact and retraction of the golf ball from the grabber.

[0013] The locking and telescoping feature of the invention allows the length of the extended ball grabber to be varied. A simple twist of the cam lock to allows the ball grabber to be locked in position. With another simple twist allows the cam lock to be unlocked for retraction and compaction. The inventor recognizes that golfers come in different sizes so golf ball grabbers should too. The addition of cushioned grip and wrist strap increases comfort, portability, and security respectively.

Problems solved by technology

It does not, however, teach a straight handle, but only a handle having a forty-five (45) degree angle.

Retrievers as described and suggested by Pasternak are too long and clumsy for continuous use on the golf course to grab or pick-up a ball from the course.

The prior art found in this area suffers from numerous problems as illustrated by the patents.

The use of an off-set handle increases the difficulty in grabbing the ball.

All embodiments of the prior art are clumsy to carry.

None of the devices is compact when not in use.

None of the prior art is so compact to fit in a side bag of the golf or easily fit in the back pocket of the golfer.

Additionally, none of the prior art cited herein teaches any sort of arrangement to facilitate sighting the grabber over the ball.

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